InformationRelatedtoInstallingNaturalGasPipinginResidences
andConvertingAppliancestoOperateonNaturalGas
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ExistingLPgaspipingisinalmostallcasestoosmalltobeutilizedfornaturalgas,andnew
gaspipingwillneedtobeinstalledthatisofalargerdiameterthanthepiperequiredforLP
gas.
ThenewpipingcanbeofSchedule40steelpipewiththreadedfittings,TypeLrigidcopper
tubing with brazed fittings, Type L soft copper tubing with flared fittings, or flexible CSST
(corrugated stainless steel tubing) with manufacturerprovided fittings. The latter two
types of piping require the least amount of labor to install and are easier to install when
obstaclesandstructuralconditionsmaketheinstallationofrigidpipingmoredifficult.
Most utilities will not install meters on the back sides of homes (the sides opposite the
street)whentheirgasmainsarerunninginthestreet.Theywillinstallmetersonthesides
of the houses, but they will not “hook” around the homes with the piping to the meter.
Because most LP secondstage pressure regulators (the point of gas entrance into the
house) are located on the back sides of houses, some new piping will usually need to be
installedtoconnecttothisexistingpiping,eveninsituationsinwhichtheexistingpipewill
workfornaturalgaspiping.
Whetherexistinggaspipingisreusedornewpipingisinstalled,thepipingwillneedtopass
a pressure test and an inspection as part of this process to verify that it is leak free and
properlyinstalled.
LPwaterheaterscannotbeconvertedtonaturalgas.Theywillneedtobereplacedwith
newwaterheaters.
Nearly all furnaces and boilers can be converted to natural gas from propane. Most
furnacesaresuppliedasnaturalgasfurnacesandconvertedtopropanebytheinstaller.If
the original parts were saved, these can be used to convert the furnace to operate on
natural gas. On newer furnaces, manufacturersupplied conversion kits are usually
available. Only manufacturersupplied conversion kits should be used for converting a
furnaceforusewithadifferentfuel.Thecostofthesekitscanvaryagreatdeal.Theleast
expensivearelessthan$50andthemostexpensiveareover$300.
MostdryersandrangescanbereadilyconvertedforusewithLPtonaturalgas.
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Oil furnaces and boilers can be converted to work with gas by using conversion burners.
However,inmostcasesthe$1,200(approx.)costofdoingthismakesthepurchaseofwhole
newfurnacesandboilersmorecommon.
Ifanoilfurnaceandboilerisreplacedbyan8084%(noncondensing)furnaceorboiler,the
masonrychimneywillneedtobelinedwithanaluminumlinersothattheacidformedby
condensationofthefluegasdoesnotcausedegradationofthemasonrychimney.If90+%
(condensing)efficientfurnacesorboilersareinstalled,theycanberoutedtotheoutsideby
penetratingthesidewallofthehouse.
Usually, existing central air conditioner cooling coils can remain in place above a furnace
whenreplacingafurnace.
Thereispresentlya$150Federalincometaxcreditavailablewhenahomeownerinstallsa
95%efficientfurnace.
If a minimal amount of new piping is required, and a furnace conversion kit is either
inexpensiveornotneededbecausepartsweresavedfromtheoriginalconversion,andthe
only gas appliance is the furnace, the cost of conversion could be as little as $400. This
includesmakingthepipingchanges,installingapressureregulator,installingaconversion
kit,startingthefurnacetoverifyproperinputandcombustion,doingapressuretest(and
inspection) on the piping, and getting a permit. If new piping is needed to a single
appliance, a total cost of $750 would be more typical. If a new water heater is needed,
$750 – 850 is approximately the cost of a new, standardefficiency replacement water
heater installed. If a new furnace and water heater are needed, along with piping to an
existingrange,dryerandfireplace,thetotalcostoftheprojectcouldexceed$5,000.
Thanks to Hugh Foster of Foster Mechanical of Hutchinson for providing this information:
Dryer Vent
Water Spigot
Electric Meter
Ground Level
3'
Clear Zone
Ground Level
3'
Clear Zone
1'
1' Minimum
Ground Clearance
Acceptable Meter Installment
A/C, Including
Circuit Breaker
Air Intake Vent
Operating
Window
or Door
(17)
(5)
Note: Meters are not to be
installed inside a fence or
adjacent to driveways
Acceptable Meter Locations